Author: Jim O Brien/CEO

CEO and expert in transport and Mobile tech. A fan 20 years, mobile consultant, Nokia Mobile expert, Former Nokia/Microsoft VIP,Multiple forum tech supporter with worldwide top ranking,Working in the background on mobile technology, Weekly radio show, Featured on the RTE consumer show, Cavan TV and on TRT WORLD. Award winning Technology reviewer and blogger. Security and logisitcs Professional.

iCandy – 3D Virtual Reality Goggles unboxing. #VR #3D

VR – Virtual Reality and AR – Augmented Reality are two hypes right now and the race for VR headsets is alight with many manufacturers competing against each other to bring their unique offering to the market,one thing though here is the cost and with the upcoming options we are all aware of now is not designed to reach the consumer market so much and mainly for real tech heads like myself,However Samsung have done so bringing its last headset down quite a bit now with the consumer model at an affordable price if you will..

How about a similar experience for just €30? It is possible thanks to iCandy,not as immersive as what is now available but its quite good and in fact comfortable to wear too and light,Yes you can now buy such a device from the Carphone Warehouse and the good thing with it is its universal,Unlike what others have to offer there is no limit to the amount of devices that you can use with this which is a huge advantage over the fixed ones from say Samsung,this though is not a hit at Samsung but they have chosen this route but this time round the latest can take 4 devices where the first innovator pack just took the Note 4 limiting its maximum potential to reach the consumer,the Note 4 is a phablet and even though they sell by the truckload they do not match the likes of the S6 or 6 edge in volume…

So what do we get for €30 with iCandy?

A headset in a box with a cloth,some straps which are already installed,not like the Gear VR which had to be installed which is no big deal and the packaging was no big deal for both although the iCandy did come better packed in a nicer package and more robust than Samsung…Also to note they come with a cloth to wipe the eyelets they tend to steam up now and then which is annoying but cant be avoided really.

Front view
Left side
Top view assembly
Opened tray
Top view and adjustment toggles
Right side
Looking into iCandy
Bottom view
View from front
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The product features

  • Watch 3D movies and play games
  • Light weight with elastic comfort band
  • Foam padding around eyepiece
  • Experience computer-simulated environments
  • Compatible with multiple devices with screen sizes 3.5 inches up to 5.7 inches
  • Maximum length of phone 154mm
  • Maximum width 82mm

To set up is simple you can use the Google cardboard and then select games from the store and fire away,It is comfortable to wear and easy to adjust should you need to when showing friends or family..

Any questions fire away below or get us on Twitter,Check out the unboxing below..

Nokia drops new video with possible hints of future devices. #Nokia

Nokia this morning have dropped a new video titled “Our Vision” which is basically promoting itself and what is to come in the future,we are all aware of the recent deal with Alcatel Lucent and we are also all aware that they can now start making devices soon and im sure plenty of us are waiting to see what Nokia have prepared for us this year,there has been several rumors of what may be coming but we shall leave them alone..

How many devices did you spot and check out the video below after the slideshow..

 

See distorted reality in real time with #Hyperspektiv app on iOS. #Apps

Image/editing apps – There is tonnes of them and for most they all do what they say they do,some good,some not so good we are all familiar with them.There is a new app though that is entirely different and distorts reality and gives you that effect/visualisation you often see on music players on our mobiles or as they like to call it a techno -kaleidoscope. This can be used creatively and looks like a neat idea where users can distort images or videos,pick from filters then save or share their creations. The app is sadly only on iOS at the moment and costs $1.99 for a limited time,so if this is your thing and you have a creative mind check it out now.

Features

—Try swiping through the filters.
—Capture in square or rotate your device for the immersive landscape mode.
—Slide your finger across the view screen to adjust the effects and record it in real-time.
—Use 3D Touch on the view screen for added dimension.
—Capture HD 720p video or take a photo.
—Want to get under the hood? Tap on the selected filter name to adjust the effects.
—Try repeatedly tapping the Wildcard filter for randomized madness.

 

The World’s Most Advanced Smartwatch For Kids.#dokiWatch #Kickstarter #Kids

Smartwatches are not new and still slow on the uptake where as fitness trackers are popular,though the smartwatch now has morphed into fitness trackers too they still do not have the same appeal,I use them but not everyday as I like to chop and change,Kids though is a new area for the manufacturers of  wearables to grab hold of. There is already aplenty out there available now and more on the way but can you see your child actually wearing them,thats a topic for another day,never mind having a smartphone…

This watch though looks childish,is childish but packed with features and will be an attraction option compared to what is on offer,there are some nice ones out there and some not so nice,this could be said for the adults wearables too..

dokiWatch claims its  the world’s most advanced smartwatch for kids 6 to 12 years old that’s also a wearable phone and locator. It’s the first-ever 3G-enabled smartwatch for kids with video calling, voice calling, and messaging capabilities in one simple device! dokiWatch anticipates what families need in order to keep connected.

https://ksr-video.imgix.net/projects/2232901/video-623444-h264_high.mp4?_=1

This watch has more options than you can shake a stick at and is more than just a watch,dokiWatch comes with important safety features including GPS tracking, which enables parents to know the whereabouts of their children right on their smartphone. The electronic pet, or “dokiPet”, doubles as a fitness tracker to encourage kids to stay active and healthy by utilizing fun incentives such as achievement badges.

If this is something that you might be interested in,head over to their Kickstarter page where they have surpassed their required funding amount…

 

 

 

Samsung Gear VR consumer edition unboxing. #Samsung #VirtualReality #Ireland

We have just received some nice kit in today which is the new consumer version of the Innovator GR VR which is available now for the Samsung S6 range and the Galaxy Note 5,we are using our Note 5 in the demo and the Note 5 is one of my main daily drivers now..

The packaging is minimal compared to last years offering with much missing and cheaper,this is to make the unit affordable to consumers which is excellent and compared to what is upcoming like Oculus which will cost a small fortune and you then need a super laptop behind you the price of the Gear VR is really a worthy investment,Going forward I might just mention by looking at the spamfest thoughts regarding the Galaxy S7  I would say it is possible it will work with it f you have been thinking of holding off,before we move onto more detail check out the Innovator package from last year..

THE PACKAGE AND CONTENTS 

Oculus App
App download
Oculus store
Gear package
Top full set up
Bottom view set up
Looking inward
Navi keys - back button and volume toggle
Bransing
Top view,zoom dial
Micro USB port
Bottom view
Cover plate front
Cover plate rear.
Front view
Left side setting and micro USB port
Right side where device clips in.
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The set up is quite simple and takes a few minutes,once you insert the device you will be prompted to get the app and download the app from there,then sign in create account and you can add bank details for purchases,you dont need to add the bank details to use the free content and view the store and what is there..

Keys and Parts

The right sight houses the navi keys,back key and volume toggle whilst the left just has some branding,the keys will take a few minutes to adjust to and you will be fine after a few minutes usage. The top of the unit has a zoom toggle which allows you to set to your own needs or perhaps someone else who might be using it..

Installation

Inserting the device is simple and take 2 seconds I would take it easy as i feel if using it much you may eventually mark your device over time so just to keep this in mind,be easy when inserting and removing device…You can use the unit wit or without the cover plate on too but I would suggest you put it on for safety sake..

Experience.

If you are new to VR this will be a huge treat,you really feel immersed in the content and there is some really nice options to check out in the store,content is not abundant like the play store but there is enough there and you can also view whatever is on your device with the gallery app so there is no shortage of things to do.

You probably will feel a bit funny and disorientated at first and probably best sit down until you ge the feel for it,Since we have had the last innovator package there is more on offer and it will be an experience you and the family can enjoy,First timers will love it who have not tried any VR machines and for the price of the unit this is well worth the money and will keep you and the family entertained..

Any questions get us on Twitter or pop a question below and we will talk to you soon again check out the unboxing below.

 

Check-my-Temp – Monitor your child’s fever accurately. #Kids #Health #Indiegogo

This time of year can be pretty hash on all of us never mind out kids,with the changeable weather going form hot to cold we can all be open to getting the flu or other illnesses such as the common chest infection,these are easy to control and fix but its our child we would worry about more rather than ourselves,speaking as a father thats how I feel anyway..

Most of us are familiar with the standard thermometer we all have and again most of us have one or two of them in our medical kits at home and taking one of these out to a child to read a temperature can be daunting for some kids and then if successful keeping it where you want it is another..Check my temp monitors your child’s position,motion and temperature ALL THE TIME via this product and also can be used to monitor the elderly,this of course has an app to go along with it on your smartphone and connect them up just like any other wearable device today.The app itself also looks really great..Also the information can be monitored remotely which is great and featured real time alerts and the option to share information to your GP or social circle.

 

What is Check my temp?

Check-my-Temp, a wearable thermometer, does just that and a bit more. With our passion, your support and a shared vision for a healthier world, let’s redefine thermometers for ever.

  • A thermometer that continuously monitors fever so you and your loved ones can rest easy
  • A thermometer that sends real time alerts and updates so you can monitor from anywhere, anytime
  • A thermometer that tells you if your loved one is awake or has fallen so you can quickly attend to them
  • A thermometer that lets you record symptoms and medication to create a complete medical profile
  • A thermometer that records fever history for your doctor
  • A thermometer that will allow you to connect with other users so you can build a healthier community
  • 3 modes to monitor

 

Head over to Indiegogo for more if you like this idea..

 

One Plus is teasing again,hopefully requires no invites. #OnePlus

One Plus is teasing again,something they like to do quite often,this time however it is not known what they have planned but in the photo they show two of the first devices from one plus so guessing has begun as to what they have in store,hinting “What are the two things you cant live without”  this could be either,it could be an OS update Oxygen/Marshmallow or perhaps even a case sporting NFC something which One Plus fans have been critical about,NFC though for Irish users would not be big issue as we still fall behind our EU neighbours in this respect,it could also be new cases or colours,with this company you just dont know what they have up their sleeve,lets just hope whatever it is does not require the now boring Invite Only.

 

Apple want to help you trade up to a new iPhone. #iTrade #Apple

This morning I got an email from Apple which was rather unusual,To be honest I thought it was fake, so i posted on Twitter and elsewhere and then to find out it was not only me,it was almost everywhere, Apple want to offer up to €445 euro towards your new iPhone which is nice of them but going down this route is rather odd yet alone I feel a bad sign,Most tech houses seem to agree that Apple are going to take a plunge,Given that they sell millions of iPhones each year,they can market and sell a product with the usual spiel from Tim Cook and people fall for it why bother?

Apple do make nice products but moving forward they are not stepping up to the plate and borrowing other peoples ideas only to rename it and claim it…Apple have no need to bombard people with emails or do they? For me I think they have reached their peak now and people are just fed up,This does not just apply to Apple in fairness,people do like to switch,get sick of something after been loyal for so long and look elsewhere, Apple and Samsung are the two main players with nice devices on offer,However Apple have not changed radically,took a change and they play it safe,they have the looking device year after year with  incremental updates only to keep feeding their loyal fans with bullshit until the next model comes out and then gladly take your money,though again all manufacturers are accused of this,This cant go on forever and wont,the same applies to other manufacturers too and with the rise of new OEMs,cheaper devices from the Chinese in particular there is pressure to be felt for all..

Anyway onto Apple #iTradeIn lets just call it that,terms and conditions apply which are detailed below

 1. You must be at least 18 years old to be eligible to trade in for an Apple Store Gift Card. More specific details are available from Apple’s approved partner for the trade-in and recycling of eligible devices. Restrictions and limitations may apply. Not all devices are eligible for credit. Payments are based upon the received device matching the description you provided when your estimate was made. Online and in-store values may vary.

If you go to this link this is what you should see and then fill in the requirements to see what Apple will actually give as a quote on the fly…For my 6 plus I was offered €415 which is shy in my opinion…

And for our iPhone 4s 16 GB the final price was a whopping €75 pending inspection,typically this would reduce going by past alternatives here with recycling offers of the past,you would send your phone away with a quote only to find everything was wrong with it and nothing was right via email or sms and at this stage you would not be bothered and let them keep it…the price for this particular model on such sites would see you pocket €10…

 

 

 

 

Q.tk Scanner – An Irish Revolution in QR Scanning Apps. #QR #Android #iOS

There is plenty of QR Code scanners available today and to be honest most of them do as they say on the tin,but this one is different,Apart from being Irish made its got plenty to offer that sets it apart from others,one main point is NO ADS. Another thing is it’s super fast and it’s got a nice minimalistic design too, you can also look at QR options.

Quick and reliable, the Q scanner is able to detect QR codes from low resolution and off-angle pictures taken directly with your phone or tablets camera, as well as any qr codes stored in your camera’s library from previously taken pictures.

Gerry from Q inc has also told us that this app has had in excess of 60k downloads within 7 weeks and a 96% approval rate,In short that is nothing short of brilliant.. On a side note having tried this app out I can also this is LIGHTNING FAST and hats off to the team for this…. Gerry explains more below..

What is it?

The Q.tk Scanner is, quite simply, the most advanced QR Scanning app available on the market today. It allows you to quickly, easily and accurately scan QR codes whenever, wherever and however you need to!

Does it really work that well?

Yes! The Q.tk Scanner is truly the best of both worlds. On the one hand you have an incredibly sophisticated piece of technology that is going to vastly improve the way you go about QR Code scanning.

But that’s not all! The Q.tk Scanner is not only incredibly sophisticated and powerful, but it is also incredibly easy to use. It doesn’t matter your experience level, in a matter of moments you can have the app downloaded and away you go!

We’ve managed to make the app truly intuitive and an absolute pleasure to use. Who wants an app that’s needlessly complicated? Nobody! The Q.tk Scanner is as elegant and easy to use as it is technologically advanced and 100% ad free.

The process is simple;

  • Scan
  • Decode
  • Display

It truly is as simple as that!

What else do I get?

If getting a reliable, fast and powerful QR Scanner isn’t enough for you, the Q.tk Scanner also allows you to;

  • View an ‘In-App Preview’ before going on to open the website in a browser!
  • Detect even low resolution codes with ease!
  • Detect codes even when they are off angle!
  • Scan QR Codes that have been stored as photos in your camera’s photo library!

 

 

Who can use Q.tk Scanner?

Anyone who is searching for an intelligent QR Code scanner.
• Also Q.tk is perfect for people who looking to perform Advanced QR code scanning and decoding without any unnecessary additions apart from exactly what you need.

Do you know the truly best part? It’s a NO BS or strings attached app and is 100%  FREE! 

[ Download on Android ]   [ Download on iOS ]